Match Report : 19/09/2015

19 September 2015

Pools Pick Up A Point

Pools picked up their first draw of the season as the game with Cambridge United finishes 0-0 at The Vic.

Ronnie Moore's side dominated the large majority of the game here this afternoon but, despite plenty of chances in front of goal, they could not find the finishing touch and the game finished all square.

The game started slowly this afternoon, with neither side really getting going until mid-way through the half.

Adam Bartlett made an early save at the near post while Rhys Oates saw his shot deflected wide but other than that, there was little to excite in the first 10 minutes.

Andrew Boyce lifted a great ball forward for Jake Carroll running down the left. Carroll then lifted a lovely cross into the box which forced the first corner of the game for Pools on 12 minutes.

Nicky Featherstone had the ball in the back of the net on 21 minutes, after latching on to a through-ball from Carroll but the midfielder was ruled offside as he rolled the ball home.

Luke Berry scuffed an effort wide for Cambridge a minute later from close range before Moore’s side went on to enjoy their best spell so far.

Oates, lively again this afternoon, sent a decent cross in from the right which found Michael Woods in space inside the box. But Woods didn’t get enough on his strike and the ball rolled to Rakish Bingham who saw his turn and shot deflected wide by Chris Dunn in the visiting goal.

Jake Carroll tried his luck with a volleyed effort which was tipped over the bar by Dunn before Elliot Omozusi cleared Scott Harrison’s header from the resulting corner off the line.

Bingham had a header saved by Dunn and right back Brad Halliday tested the Cambridge defence which a determined run, cutting inside and pushing into the box to squeeze between three players and shoot on goal. His effort was blocked by the keeper but it was an impressive effort by the on-loan defender.

While Pools had been on top for the longer spell, it was Cambridge who finished the half on top, going close on a couple of occasions – with Leon Legge threatening with two quick-fire strikes on goal, only to be denied by his own players who got in the way of both efforts.

It was Pools who were stronger again after the half-time break, with early chances for Bingham and Paynter to open the scoring.

Brad Halliday forced his way in again to try a shot on goal, winning another corner for Pools as the right back impressed at The Vic this afternoon.

Rakish Bingham, who had a frustrating afternoon, had a great chance to shoot on goal after good work from Featherstone but the striker’s touch gave the visitors a chance to react and the chance passed.

After dominating the opening 25 minutes of the second half though, Pools were forced into some defending at the other end but Moore’s men looked strong at the back today and they were soon back on the attack.

A left-footed cross from Oates from the right sailed through the box towards the far post where sub Scott Fenwick was arriving at pace but the ball just escaped the attentions of the striker.

Halliday and Oates linked up well for Pools down the right and the pair offered real outlet for the team down that wing. But for all of the crosses coming into the box, Dunn’s net remained unruffled

Brad Walker, on in place of Michael Woods, pushed in with determination to poke a decent ball through for Fenwick but it just fell short of target and another chance passed.

And so Moore's side bring to an end the run of four consecutive league defeats with their first draw of the campaign.